How does this current Mayfield dynasty compare to the mid-80s (champs in 85 and 86 and runner-up in 87) and the late 1970s (runner-up in 1976 and champs in 77 and 78)?

 

Could this four-year group of players go down as the best-ever at Mayfield?

If they win titles this season and next, they will go down as probably the best group ever. Lot of work yet to be done.

I think the teams of late 70s were better. Maybe didn't have the speed of todays teams, but, overall, very solid. They also competed against much, much better competition. There were only 3 classes in those days, 1a, 2a, 3a, with 3a having a statewide and a Jefferson Co class. Mayfield played in 2a and there were several very strong teams in there class, compared to what they now face in 1a, not to mention, the Cards played Brentwood Academy, East St Louis, Memphis Douglas, Christian Co among other big school powers. Plus Tilghman was a juggernaut during those years. Winning 31 in a row during the 77, 78, 79 stretch was quite an accomplishment considering the level of competition they had to play to do it.. In addition, there was no Graves Co football team, so, all the county kids that wanted to play football went to Mayfield. I believe Mfd had 700+ students in the top 4 grades back then, compared to approx. 400 now. Things were different back then, but, I think the quality of depth and overall talent was stronger then than it is now. The team now passes the ball alot more, spreads the field more and takes advantage of what they do have, which is speed and big play ability, but, overall ability, I like the 70s teams..

The Mikey Bright group from 92-95 didn't do too bad. 3 state title games in 4 years with the 93 team a AA title and the 95 team with its first 1A title over a good Beechwood squad.

How does this current Mayfield dynasty compare to the mid-80s (champs in 85 and 86 and runner-up in 87) and the late 1970s (runner-up in 1976 and champs in 77 and 78)?

 

Could this four-year group of players go down as the best-ever at Mayfield?

 

This is not a dynasty at this point, we have 1 runner up and 1 title the last 2 years. Prior to the title last year we were in the midst of the schools longest title less streak since the class system began. If they get a title this year (which is a big if at this point) then we could have this discussion, espically when you consider what they will have back next year when I expect them to be the favorites

If they win titles this season and next, they will go down as probably the best group ever. Lot of work yet to be done.

 

I would have to agree.

The Mikey Bright group from 92-95 didn't do too bad. 3 state title games in 4 years with the 93 team a AA title and the 95 team with its first 1A title over a good Beechwood squad.

 

These were some solid teams, especially the 95 team, except with exception of Mike Bright, who started as a true freshman, the 92 and 95 teams were completely different players. If I look at Dynasty, I think of a 3 year span max. Also, that 92 team got hammered by Danville in the title game and the 94 team got hammered by Bullitt East in the semis, so neither of those 2 teams would be in the discussion of great past Mayfield teams. Even the 93 team, though it won the title, arguably got outplayed for 3 1/2 qtrs by a very good PBurg team, who wasn't even supposed to be there, but, upset a heavily favored Danville team in the semis. I think the 95 team would certainly be in the discussion of great past Mayfield teams, but, as a whole, I don't think they were strong enough those other years to be called a dynasty.

Dynasties are more than two years, in my opinion. The only ones I've seen in recent decades were Danville in the 80s and 90s, Beechwood in the 90s and the one that Trinity is in now.

Personally, and this is no disrespect to Mayfield or any other program, but I have two different definitions of "Dynasty":

1) Pre 6 Class system

 

and

 

2) Post 6 class system.

 

The Mayfield teams of the mid 90's, 80's and even the late 70's weren't only better in my opinion, but they also had to beat a lot more teams in their class(es) to not only compete with.

 

However, with saying that, I strongly feel that Mayfield might have been the 5th best team in all of KY last year:

1) Highlands

2) Trinity

3) Boyle

4) Male

5) Mayfield

 

(Actually, NewCath and ACS could be put in that 5 slot, too)

 

I would throw them up in the top 10 statewide as of right now. They are definately in the midst of an incredible run and long lasting legacy, nonetheless.

Dynasties are more than two years, in my opinion. The only ones I've seen in recent decades were Danville in the 80s and 90s, Beechwood in the 90s and the one that Trinity is in now.

 

Exactly. I'd throw Highlands in there now and also what Boyle County has done the last 12 years. 5 Straight in the old classification (2 in 2A and 3 in 3A) and now back to back in the new system. I personally don't ever think that we will see a program make a total 180 turnaround over the course of 20 years like Boyle has done, at least not in our lifetime, not to the extent of what they've done.

 

Twenty years ago, and not even that, they were your usual Homecomings... homecoming. I'm not going to name other schools, but for those of you who weren't around at that time or who havent kept up with KY HS Football history, just look at the LIT/Cantrell Ratings in each class and that was Boyle not so long ago.

Exactly. I'd throw Highlands in there now and also what Boyle County has done the last 12 years. 5 Straight in the old classification (2 in 2A and 3 in 3A) and now back to back in the new system. I personally don't ever think that we will see a program make a total 180 turnaround over the course of 20 years like Boyle has done, at least not in our lifetime, not to the extent of what they've done.

 

Twenty years ago, and not even that, they were your usual Homecomings... homecoming. I'm not going to name other schools, but for those of you who weren't around at that time or who havent kept up with KY HS Football history, just look at the LIT/Cantrell Ratings in each class and that was Boyle not so long ago.

You're right ... I forgot to mention Boyle and Highlands. Like you, I think the landscape is much different now with the move to six classes.

Exactly. I'd throw Highlands in there now and also what Boyle County has done the last 12 years. 5 Straight in the old classification (2 in 2A and 3 in 3A) and now back to back in the new system. I personally don't ever think that we will see a program make a total 180 turnaround over the course of 20 years like Boyle has done, at least not in our lifetime, not to the extent of what they've done.

 

Twenty years ago, and not even that, they were your usual Homecomings... homecoming. I'm not going to name other schools, but for those of you who weren't around at that time or who havent kept up with KY HS Football history, just look at the LIT/Cantrell Ratings in each class and that was Boyle not so long ago.

 

I think you raise some good points about Boyle's turnaround. It was quick and it was dramatic.

 

Between 1983 and 1991 Boyle had only one winning season. (7-3 in 1986)

 

From 1992 to present they have had only one losing season. (2-8 in 1993)

 

However from '74 to '83 Boyle never suffered a losing season. In fact the Rebels won two District titles (when only District Champs were allowed into the playoffs) and twice won the old Central Kentucky Conference Trophy (for best record among all CKC teams). Highlight years were:

 

9-2 in '75 (Set state record for fewest passing yards allowed in a season)

10-2 in '76 (With wins over Henry Clay and Harrodsburg)

9-1 in '79

8-3 in '82, '74 & '77

 

Boyle had some other notable teams in the 60's including a 9-0 squad in their inaugaural season of '63 and District Title team in '65.

 

Boyle had some tradition before the Chuck Smith era but never on a state level. Unfortunately the Rebels are more known for that gaping void of very bad teams in the late 80's and beginning of the 90's. :thumb:

Dynasties are more than two years, in my opinion. The only ones I've seen in recent decades were Danville in the 80s and 90s, Beechwood in the 90s and the one that Trinity is in now.

 

Highlands has won four straight right now so I would say they are in the discussion.

 

To me, Boyle's "Dynasty" really began in '96 even though they did not win a State title until '99. It was in '96 that the Rebels got the Admiral gorilla off their backs and played Breathitt County (back to back champs) to the wire in the semi-finals at Breathitt. The next year Boyle went undefeated but were upset by Bourbon in their cinderella run. '98 was an injury riddled team that bridged to the 6 straight finals teams of '99 to '04. Add in recent history and you have 7 titles and 8 title appearances in 12 years.

I think the opening poster was referring to past Mayfield teams. He simply wanted to know how this 4 year stretch of players/teams compared to prior 4 year stretch of past teams. In answering that, I do think they'll be a heavy favorite to win it next year. They have a great chance to win it this year and if they do win it both years, that'd be 3 titles in a row and a runner-up in 4 years, so, that would probably be the best 4 yr run ever, but, with that said, I do think the overall teams of the 70's were better, deeper, played better competition, etc.. If they don't win it both this year and next, I'd say, no, this wouldn't be the best 4 year run ever...

How did the teams of the past live without Bluegrass preps or similar sights to live on and constantly talk about themselves.